Apparel Product Developer

JD Sports Head Office; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts for you, friends & fam

Birthday leave

Paid parental leave

Pre-Pay Day lunches

Culture committee events

Employee Assistance Program

Brand new central CBD offices

Job summary

JD Sports is seeking an experienced Apparel Product Developer to join our Buying team in Sydney. You will lead exclusive ranges and SMU developments, translating trends into commercial opportunities while collaborating with global brands and suppliers to deliver standout product.

Reporting to the Senior Apparel Buyer, you will manage the full development lifecycle from concept to delivery, ensuring quality, on-time milestones and margin-driven assortments for the JD customer.

Qualifications

• 3+ years' experience in Product Development, Apparel Buying or Apparel Design
• Experience working within a sports fashion, fashion retail or lifestyle retail environment
• Proven experience developing apparel products from concept through to production
• Strong understanding of fabrications, garment construction and seasonal product development
• Excellent stakeholder management and supplier relationship skills
• Strong negotiation and influencing capability
• Advanced organisation skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage exclusive and SMU apparel ranges from concept through to delivery
• Identify emerging trends and translate market insights into commercial product opportunities
• Collaborate with suppliers, factories and brand partners to deliver best-in-class product
• Build compelling assortments aligned to customer demand, sales performance and margin objectives
• Manage the product development lifecycle, including sampling, fit approvals and product sign-off
• Negotiate costs, lead times and minimum order quantities
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for future development and growth
• Present product updates and commercial insights to key stakeholders
• Ensure products meet quality, compliance and performance standards

Skills

Product development

Apparel buying

Apparel design

Fabrication knowledge

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Organization

Tools

Excel

Job description

Known best as the 'Undisputed King of Trainers', JD Sports reigns supreme as one of the biggest and best global Sports Fashion brands across footwear and apparel.

Founded in 1981 in Greater Manchester, UK, JD Group has achieved remarkable growth through rapid global expansion and is now one of the world's leading sports fashion retailers. With over 3,400 stores worldwide and more than 70 stores across Australia and New Zealand, we continue to inspire the emerging generation through the universal culture of Sport, Music and Fashion.

Working at JD Sports is a state of mind, an attitude and way of challenging the norm. We do not conform; we create our own path and are elite within our field. At JD Sports, we don't follow trends, we help shape them.

As we continue to grow across ANZ, we’re looking for commercially minded product talent who thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about product, trends and consumer behaviour.

THE ROLE

We’re looking for an experienced Apparel Product Developer to join our Buying team and help deliver the next generation of product for the JD customer. You’ll work across some of the world’s biggest sportswear and fashion brands while developing exclusive ranges that set us apart in the market.

Reporting to the Senior Apparel Buyer, you’ll combine trend awareness, product development expertise and commercial thinking to build compelling assortments from concept through to delivery.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Develop and manage exclusive and SMU apparel ranges from concept through to delivery
• Identify emerging trends and translate market insights into commercial product opportunities
• Collaborate with suppliers, factories and brand partners to deliver best-in-class product
• Build compelling assortments aligned to customer demand, sales performance and margin objectives
• Manage the product development lifecycle, including sampling, fit approvals and product sign-off
• Negotiate costs, lead times and minimum order quantities
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for future development and growth
• Present product updates and commercial insights to key stakeholders
• Ensure products meet quality, compliance and performance standards

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• You’ll be responsible for helping deliver:
• Commercially successful apparel ranges aligned to customer demand
• On-time product development milestones, approvals and delivery
• Strong margin outcomes through effective cost and lead-time negotiation
• High-quality, compliant product that meets performance standards
• Exclusive and SMU product opportunities that differentiate JD Sports
• Clear product insights that support future range growth

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a hands-on Product Developer who can confidently balance creativity, commerciality and execution.

Experience

• 3+ years' experience in Product Development, Apparel Buying or Apparel Design
• Experience working within a sports fashion, fashion retail or lifestyle retail environment
• Proven experience developing apparel products from concept through to production
• Strong understanding of fabrications, garment construction and seasonal product development
• Excellent stakeholder management and supplier relationship skills
• Strong negotiation and influencing capability
• Advanced organisation skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience across both Men's and Women's Apparel
• Experience working with global sports, fashion or outdoor brands
• Commercial analysis, merchandising or planning exposure
• Strong Excel and reporting capability

WHY JD SPORTS?

• Join one of the world’s leading sports fashion retailers and help create product seen in stores across Australia and New Zealand.
• Work closely with global brands, suppliers and key stakeholders
• Influence product strategy, range direction and exclusive product development
• Be part of a high-performing Buying team
• Work for a growing business that continues to invest in its people
• Generous staff discounts for you, friends and family
• Birthday leave and paid parental leave benefits
• Pre-Pay Day lunches and monthly culture committee events
• Employee Assistance Program
• Brand new central CBD offices

JD values diversity and inclusion and champions a culture where everyone feels valued, included and celebrated. Please note, by applying for this role, you consent to us completing a Work Rights check to verify your working rights where required.